Utah family shares how blood donations are key to life-saving transfusions
CLINTON, Utah (ABC4) — Earlier this month, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage, and now one Clinton mom is sharing how this has impacted her son, 13-year-old McKay Hansen.
“He is your typical 13-year-old boy. He’s really into Minecraft, video games, Zelda, Splatoon, I mean any sort of video games,” said Shae Hansen. “He loves to be outdoors. He loves to be active with his family, and everything as time allows.”
Woman charged in drunk driving crash that left 5-year-old girl dead
In 2014, McKay was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer in the adrenal glands. Three years ago, the cancer came back. He needs constant platelet transfusions and blood transfusions for his treatment.
“He’s had pretty much everything under the sun as far as treatment goes that’s available for neuroblastoma, which has also left his bone marrow … just very weak,” Shae Hansen said. “In the last three years … he’s had 36 blood transfusions and he’s getting his 115th platelet transfusion today.”
These transfusions are life-saving for McKay and patients like him. The American Red Cross says they’re seeing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years, causing a nationwide shortage, which can impact these treatments.
“We’ve been fortunate so far there hasn’t been anyone who has needed a transfusion that hasn’t received their transfusion, but there have been significant delays,” said Dr. Walter Kelly, divisional chief medical officer with the American Red Cross.
McKay’s family has had personal experience with that. Twice his transfusions were delayed.
“When his platelets are low enough that he needs a transfusion only to be told that he can’t because there’s none available, that’s really terrifying as a parent,” Hansen said.
She shares their story in hopes of encouraging others to donate to help those like McKay where these treatments can make all the difference.
“I know a lot of people have reached out to us that will say, I’ve donated blood for the very first time. I’m terrified of needles, but I did it because I see McKay and what he goes through,” she said.
The community plans to hold a blood drive in honor of McKay on Wednesday, Jan. 31, in Clinton. It will be at the Clinton West Stake Cultural Hall, 2141 W 1800 N from 1-7 p.m.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
